– Morinville News File Photo
by Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – Eight Morinville dancers will take to the Morinville Community Cultural Centre’s stage Valentine’s Day to perform in Ballet Jörgen’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Morinville Dance Connections students Tiana Beck, Bailey Carlisle, Olivia Chevalier, Sydney Gauld, Sarah Noble, Hayley Ouellette, Stacey Sampson and Emma Van BraBant have been selected to perform with the professional ballet company.
It is an opportunity that has not only the students excited about the opportunity but their instructor as well. “This is an amazing opportunity for our dancers”, said Dance Connections owner Nicole Timtim-Ramirez in a release Tuesday. “They are very excited and I know they will be motivated to achieve even more with their dancing!”
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen has been recognized for the innovation, warmth, humour and beauty they bring to their performances, including Shakespeare’s tale of love, anguish, and revenge, a work that organizers says has been “masterfully transformed into the magical world of ballet.” Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen’s interpretation of Romeo and Juliet has won international recognition and critical acclaim. It has been showcased in major cities and communities across Canada, the United States, China, and Hong Kong.
Town of Morinville Cultural Services Manager Laurie Stalker is excited to have the ballet group and local dancers uniting on the stage, but she is also excited about some of the activities set to take place off the stage and in the broader commnity. “Not only are we delighted to be able to present a ballet company of this calibre on our stage, but Ballet Jörgen will have a real presence in our community during their time here. They will be teaching a movement class to the drama students at the high school, offering a program at the Morinville Community Library for children K-6, and conducting a repertoire class for interested dance students at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.”
The Dancers will appear at the library Feb. 13 at 4:30 p.m. The Valentine’s Day performance of Romeo and Juliet takes place at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at morinvillecentre.ca, tixonthesquare.ca or by phoning 780-939-7888. Cost of tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $10 for students.
